Facebook stores every video you watch, and you can remove them one at a time or clear your entire history
Facebook keeps a record of every video you view, whether you watch it for three seconds or the full length. This watch history appears in your "On This Day" memories, influences what videos Facebook recommends to you, and can be seen by anyone who accesses your account. You can delete individual videos from your history or wipe your entire watch history at once. The process takes less than a minute either way.
Your watch history is separate from your search history and your posts. Deleting watched videos does not remove videos you uploaded, commented on, or shared — it only removes the record that you viewed them.
Key Takeaways
- You can delete individual videos from your watch history by clicking the X next to each video in your history section.
- To clear all watched videos at once, go to Settings and Privacy, then Settings, then Your Information, then clear your watch history with one click.
- Deleting your watch history does not delete the videos themselves or your comments on them — it only removes the record that you watched them.
- Facebook will continue recording new videos you watch after you clear your history unless you turn off watch history in your privacy settings.
- Clearing your watch history may change which videos Facebook recommends to you, since the platform uses your viewing patterns to suggest content.
Delete individual videos from your watch history
If you want to remove only certain videos from your history, you can delete them one at a time. Open Facebook on your phone or computer and go to your profile by clicking your name or profile picture. Look for the three horizontal lines (menu icon) on mobile or the down arrow on desktop, then select "See Your Information" or "Settings and Privacy."
Scroll down and tap or click "Your Information." Find "Watch History" in the list. Facebook will show you every video you have watched, with the most recent at the top. Next to each video, you will see an X or a delete button. Click or tap it to remove that video from your history. The video will disappear from the list when ready, but the video itself remains on Facebook.
This method works best if you only want to hide a few videos — for example, if someone else used your account or you watched something you do not want in your recommendations. If you want to remove dozens or hundreds of videos, clearing your entire history is faster.
Clear your entire watch history at once
To delete all videos you have ever watched on Facebook, go to Settings and Privacy, then tap or click Settings. Select "Your Information" from the menu. Scroll to find "Watch History" and tap or click it.
At the top or bottom of your watch history, you will see an option that says "Clear All" or "Delete All Watch History." Click or tap it. Facebook will ask you to confirm — select "Clear" or "Delete" again. Your entire watch history will be removed in seconds. Facebook will not show you a list of what was deleted; it straightforward removes the record that you watched any videos.
After you clear your history, Facebook's recommendation system will have less information about your viewing habits. You may notice that the videos suggested to you change, especially in the first few days after clearing your history.
Turn off watch history to stop Facebook from recording videos you watch
By default, Facebook records every video you watch. If you want to prevent Facebook from tracking new videos going forward, you can turn off watch history in your privacy settings. Go to Settings and Privacy, then Settings, then "Your Information."
Find "Watch History" and open it. Look for a toggle or switch that says "Watch History" or "Record Watch History." Turn it off. When watch history is disabled, Facebook will not save a record of videos you watch, though the platform may still use your viewing behavior to recommend content in real time.
Keep in mind that turning off watch history does not delete your existing history — it only stops new videos from being recorded. You will need to clear your history separately if you want to remove videos you have already watched.
What happens to videos you have commented on or shared
Clearing your watch history only removes the record that you viewed videos. It does not delete comments you left on videos, videos you shared with friends, or videos you uploaded yourself. Those remain on your profile and in your activity log.
If you want to remove a comment you made on someone else's video, go to that video, find your comment, and click the three dots next to it. Select "Delete" to remove your comment. If you want to remove a video you shared, go to your timeline, find the post where you shared it, click the three dots, and select "Delete Post."
How watch history affects Facebook's recommendations
Facebook uses your watch history to decide which videos to show you in your feed and in the "Watch" tab. The more videos you watch on a topic, the more videos on that topic Facebook will recommend. If you clear your watch history, Facebook loses this information and will show you a more general mix of videos until it learns your preferences again.
This can be useful if your watch history does not reflect what you actually want to see — for example, if you watched videos about a topic out of curiosity or research, and now Facebook keeps recommending similar content. Clearing your history gives you a fresh start with recommendations.
Privacy considerations when sharing your account
If someone else uses your Facebook account — a family member, roommate, or friend — they will see your watch history and you will see theirs. Clearing your watch history before handing over your account prevents the other person from seeing what videos you have watched. Similarly, if you share a device with someone, clearing your history keeps your viewing private.
For longer-term privacy, consider turning off watch history entirely if you regularly share your account or device. You can also log out of Facebook when you are done using it, which prevents the next person who uses the device from accessing your account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does deleting my watch history delete the videos themselves?
No. Clearing your watch history only removes the record that you watched the videos. The videos remain on Facebook and can still be found through search or recommendations. If you want to remove a video from Facebook entirely, you must delete the post if you uploaded it, or report it if someone else did.
Can I see my watch history on mobile and desktop?
Yes. Your watch history is the same across all devices and browsers where you are logged into Facebook. If you delete a video from your history on your phone, it will be gone from your history on your computer as well. The steps to access and delete your history are slightly different on mobile versus desktop, but the result is identical.
Will Facebook stop recommending videos to me if I clear my watch history?
No, but the recommendations will change. Facebook will show you a broader mix of videos until it learns your new preferences based on videos you watch after clearing your history. Your likes, shares, and comments will still influence recommendations, even if your watch history is empty.
What if I turn off watch history but then turn it back on?
Turning watch history back on does not restore videos you deleted. It only starts recording new videos you watch from that point forward. Any videos you cleared before turning it back on will remain deleted.
Does clearing my watch history affect my search history on Facebook?
No. Watch history and search history are separate. Clearing your watch history does not remove searches you have performed on Facebook. To clear your search history, go to Settings and Privacy, then Settings, then "Your Information," then "Search History," and select "Clear All."